Lava Headwall

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Route Photo

Details

Lava Headwall
Mountain	Mount Adams
Aspect	Northeast
Local Relief	7,676 ft (2,340 m)
From	the Summit to Killen Creek trailhead
Average Slope 1	Vertical	Source
50°	280 ft (85 m)	Route Topo
Average Slope 2	Vertical	Source
44°	720 ft (220 m)	Route Topo
Approach	Killen Creek

Description

Warm weather promotes consistent rockfall on this route. Lava Ridge provides a very aesthetic and safe alternative. While the headwall remains full of objective dangers, these can be diminished by skiing other routes during similar weather days to determine your best time of day for descending. Road access limits optimal early season conditions.

From the summit traverse east to the top of the Headwall. Routes through rock cliffs can vary according to season, although the upper headwall remains relatively unchanged as a consistently 40-45 degree slope. The crux begins as you descend into cliffs through which lead season dependant chutes. Below here, wind your way through smaller cliff bands and find a way over the bergschrund at the bottom. Continue down the glacier and traverse west to high camp below the North Ridge.